Merely the Groom (Free Fellows League 2)

“I don’t like leaving your father on his own so much,” she continued. “You know how he gets... But Liana must make her debut, and someone has to chaperone her. And then there’s the burden of the house, the staff, the clothes, the jewels, the presentation, the parties...” Lady McElreath threw up her hands in a classic Gallic expression. “They’re so hideously expensive... Still, your papa gambles and gambles…and the debts…”

“Shhh, Maman. Don’t fret. I’ll see to it that Liana has her season with all the trimmings.”

“How can you?” His mother wrinkled her brow. “You have no fortune. Nothing but a title.”

“I’ve put away a few pounds...”

“A few pounds?” Lady McElreath shook her head in dismay, and Liana looked stricken. “My son, we need a few thousand pounds.”

Colin smiled down at his mother and sister. “I’ve got enough.”

“Truly?” Liana spoke up for the first time, and the look of hope in her eyes tugged at Colin’s heart. “Because we can make over some of Maman’s gowns. I don’t mind. I understand finances, and I can make do with what I’ve got.”

“You’ve made do long enough,” Colin told her. “This is your chance, Liana. You deserve it, and it’s time you had a new wardrobe.” It was long past time that his sister had a new wardrobe and his mother, too, for that matter. Colin wasn’t entirely certain that Liana had ever owned a new dress made just for her. It seemed that everything she owned had previously belonged to someone else and been made over to fit her. And while his mother and sisters were skillful and frugal seamstresses, there was no disguising worn fabric or frayed laces and trims. Colin knew from experience that life among the ton was often a vicious and precarious place for those whose purses were chronically lean. As long as he was able to prevent it, his sister needn’t suffer petty slights and painful insults from those with more money than compassion and manners. Colin glanced at his mother. “Order whatever you and Liana want or need. I’ll see that the bills are paid. On time.”

His sister beamed up at him, but Lady McElreath was more guarded. “Are you certain you have enough, Colin? Because everything costs so much...”

“Maman,” Colin said gently, “I’m sure. Besides...” He winked at her. “What’s the cost of a new wardrobe compared to seeing my beautiful sister turn the ton upside down?”

Liana was practically bursting with excitement, and Lady McElreath was almost as thrilled as her daughter. They were so excited that they had spent the past hour talking of nothing but fashion and fabrics, comparing styles, and compiling a mental list of available seamstresses. Colin listened with half an ear as he scanned the room, looking for anything or anyone that seemed out of the ordinary. He had hoped to glean a bit of ton gossip from his mother and sister, but apparently, there was very little to gossip about—other than who had purchased what from which dressmaker.

The number of people on the dance floor swelled to crushing proportions, but Colin noticed that Jarrod was not among them. At least for the moment. But that situation appeared likely to change. Colin watched as a pretty redhead made her way through the crowd to where Jarrod stood near the refreshment tables. Less than a moment later, Jarrod and the young lady were in deep conversation, and it became quite apparent that Jarrod was destined for the dance floor. The mighty Marquess of Shepherdston was about to succumb to the lure of the music and a pretty girl.

And that was music to Colin’s ears, because the Free Fellows had a longstanding wager of two hundred pounds in the betting books at White’s as to who would be the next man to fall prey to the leg shackles of marriage. Watching Jarrod with the pretty redhead, Colin could almost hear the silver coins jingling in his purse.

“Good evening, Lord Grantham. Lady McElreath. Lady Liana.”

Colin looked around and found his hostess, Lady Harralson, standing at his elbow. He’d been so intent on watching Jarrod that he’d failed to see the danger stealing up beside him. Silently cursing the heat rising up his neck, Colin swallowed hard and replied. “Good evening, Lady Harralson.”

“Are you enjoying yourself?” She spoke not to Colin but to his mother and sister.

“Very much,” Liana replied breathlessly. “Thank you for inviting us, Lady Harralson.”

“My pleasure,” she replied. “It was the least I could do for such old and dear friends. After all, if things had worked out differently, I might have been a part of your family.”

“But then, you wouldn’t have been Lady Harralson,” Colin replied. “Or able to be such a successful society hostess.”

“That’s true,” Lady Harralson answered. “But I’ll always remember that I was yours before I became Lady Harralson.”

“That was a very long time ago, Lady Harralson,” Colin reminded her. “We were children.”

Lady Harralson ignored his interruption and continued on her favorite theme. “Being Lady Harralson doesn’t change the fact that your family will always be welcomed here and will always occupy a special place in my heart.” Although she smiled at Liana and at Lady McElreath, this time Lady Harralson’s words were meant for Colin.

Lady McElreath exchanged glances with her son.

Colin flushed.

Lady Harralson placed her gloved hand on his arm. “Aren’t you dancing, Lord

Grantham?”

“Not yet.”

Lady Harralson laughed as she pinned him with a knowing look. “Not ever if you can help it.”

Colin’s ears turned a deeper shade of red. “I see my reputation precedes me.”

“It does indeed, my lord,” she confirmed. “My sources in the ton assure me that Lord Grantham seldom dances—especially when there are members of the ton present to witness it.”